Pa.’s state-owned universities paid a million in searches for new presidents

Filling the presidential manse at Pennsylvania's 14 state-owned universities is a pricey proposition. Records show eight universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education spent nearly $1 million — averaging more than $120,000 — on searches to fill presidential vacancies since 2010.

Search costs that ranged from $143,700 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania to $97,700 at Millersville University of Pennsylvania included bills for executive search consultants, travel, catering, advertising and background checks for candidates.

Though consulting fees make up the biggest part of the bills, a breakdown of costs for the searches showed travel for consultants, trustees and job candidates, some of whom live as far away as Alaska, came in second in most cases.